Model-based development of software for network control of automotive vehicles’ equipment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Various devices and systems connected via onboard network with electronic control unit are the part of automotive vehicles’ equipment. Such devices and systems, which ensure the operability of a vehicle or are the elements of technological units, having microprocessor control, are based on various physical principles. Designers of such devices and systems may not have sufficient knowledge and experience to develop the software independently, which applies to the development of software for the network control.
 AIM: The development of software for information subsystem of a technical device that interacts with an electronic control unit via onboard network as part of automotive vehicles’ equipment, as well as the demonstration of application of model-based programming tools in this development.
 METHODS: A comprehensive description of technical solutions developed to achieve the listed aims using methods of system analysis and methods for developing and debugging of software is given. According to these methods, model-based programming tools are used as handlers for built-in interface modules of microcontroller and elements of software layout. Software elements for processing received messages, performing actions with the data received in them, as well as generation of response messages have been developed in the C language.
 RESULTS: Software that processes messages received by a device subordinated to an electronic control unit via the CAN network, generates response messages addressed to this unit, and sends them has been developed. The method of access to the receiving buffer of the network interface and priority of software execution are taken into account.
 CONCLUSION: It is shown that model-based programming in combination with programming tools based on structured text is an effective software development technology that is convenient for designers of technical devices and systems based on various physical principles and requiring microprocessor control. In particular, the abovementioned should be attributed to specialists in the field of electrical engineering who develop equipment for automotive vehicles.